Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program offers a flexible approach to mileage expiry, making it easier for frequent flyers to manage their miles. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging these rules to keep your miles active and maximize your rewards.
The Activity-Based Expiry System
Since January 1, 2020, Cathay Pacific has implemented an activity-based expiry system for Asia Miles. Under this system, your miles will remain active as long as you earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months. This change provides greater flexibility and control over your miles, ensuring they don’t expire as long as there’s qualifying activity in your account.
Key Benefits
- Extended Validity: Your miles won’t expire with regular account activity.
- Increased Flexibility: Both earning and redeeming miles reset the expiry clock.
- Ease of Management: A single transaction extends the life of all your miles.
Eligible Transactions
To keep your miles active, you can perform any of the following eligible transactions:
- Earning Miles through flights, hotel stays, car rentals, shopping, or dining
- Redeeming Miles for flights, upgrades, or lifestyle rewards
- Miles top-up
- Conversion of other program points to Asia Miles
- Member transferring Miles into or out of their account
- Earning bonus Miles
- Receiving gift Miles
Note that miles reversal transactions, such as refunds and cancellations, are not considered eligible transactions.
Keeping Your Miles Active
Maintaining the validity of your Asia Miles is straightforward. Engage with the program within every 18-month period by either earning or redeeming miles. Here are some effective strategies:
Earning Miles
- Flights: Earn miles by flying with Cathay Pacific or its partner airlines.
- Credit Card Spend: Use co-branded credit cards that offer Asia Miles for everyday purchases.
- Hotel Stays and Car Rentals: Partner hotels and car rental companies also offer miles for your stays and rentals.
- Shopping and Dining: Participate in partner retail and dining programs that award Asia Miles.
Redeeming Miles
- Award Flights: Book flights using your miles.
- Upgrades: Upgrade your existing bookings with miles.
- Lifestyle Rewards: Use miles for shopping vouchers, dining experiences, and more.
- Hotel Stays and Car Rentals: Redeem miles for accommodation and car rentals.
Final Thoughts
Cathay Pacific’s activity-based expiry system for Asia Miles offers greater control and flexibility for frequent flyers. By engaging in regular activity within your account, you can ensure your miles remain active and ready for use whenever you need them.
For more detailed information, visit the Cathay Pacific FAQ page on the expiry arrangement and the Cathay Pacific Terms and Conditions.
If you want to view the expiry periods for other Oneworld member airlines, click here.
